EastCoast Weekends
A wooden boardwalk and beach at the Jersey Shore
Weekend guide

The Jersey Shore by train

An hour fifty from Penn Station and you are on the boardwalk. The easiest summer weekend on this list.

~1h50 by NJ Transit~$35–40 round trip1–2 nightsBeach, boardwalk, music
Journey~1h50 by NJ Transit
Cost~$35–40 round trip
Nights1–2 nights
Best forBeach, boardwalk, music
Why go

The beach, without a car

NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line runs from Penn Station to Asbury Park and beyond. The station is a short walk from the boardwalk and the beach.

Asbury Park has the boardwalk, the Stone Pony and the restaurants; Ocean Grove next door is quieter and dry (no alcohol sales). Spring Lake is further south and prettier still. In summer, book the hotel early.

A wooden boardwalk and beach at the Jersey Shore
What to do

Three reasons to go

Boardwalk, beach and one good evening.

Boardwalk

Asbury Park boardwalk

The classic: beach, food, the Stone Pony and a walk to Ocean Grove.

Walk the boardwalk
Beach

The beach

Seasonal badges are required in summer; buy one at the beach entrance.

Check badge prices
Town

Ocean Grove

Victorian houses, a quiet beach and a dry town next to Asbury.

Walk the streets
The plan

Saturday and Sunday

Beach in the morning, boardwalk in the evening.

01 Saturday

Beach and boardwalk

Train down in the morning, beach in the afternoon, boardwalk and dinner in Asbury Park.

  • NJ Transit to Asbury Park — Penn Station
  • The beach — Asbury Park
  • Boardwalk dinner — Cookman Avenue
02 Sunday

Ocean Grove and home

Walk to Ocean Grove for breakfast and the Victorian streets, then the train home.

  • Ocean Grove — 20 minutes on foot
  • NJ Transit home — Asbury Park station
What it costs

A realistic budget

Per person, excluding shopping.

Jersey Shore weekend costs
ItemTypicalNotes
Train$35–40NJ Transit round trip
Hotel$180–320One or two nights, summer peak
Beach badge$10–15Seasonal, check current price
Food$80–120Two lunches, one dinner
Practical

What to know

callout({ icon: "◆", title: "Summer weekends sell out", text: "Book the hotel and check train times early, especially in July and August." }), callout({ icon: "◆", title: "Buy the beach badge", text: "Most towns require one in season; it is checked on the sand." }), callout({ icon: "◆", title: "Off-season is quiet", text: "The boardwalk is still walkable, but many places close outside summer." })
Questions

__FAQ_TITLE__

Do I need a car?

No. The train station is a short walk from the beach and boardwalk.

Which town is best?

Asbury Park for food and music; Ocean Grove for quiet; Spring Lake for a prettier, pricier beach.

When is the season?

Memorial Day to Labor Day for swimming; the boardwalk is open year-round.

Compare

Other weekends

All destinations compared by journey time and what they are best for.

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